296 President George W Bush Interview And My First Singing Gig!

An Interview With President George W. Bush
Before you click the play button above to listen to this interview, check out the video that I recorded in the Green Room at the Platform Conference.

Meet John C Morgan!
Okay, so person I’m speaking to in the video above, and in the interview found in this episode of Podcast Answer Man, is not really the former president, George W. Bush. Instead, this is world renowned George W Bush impersonator, John C. Morgan.

When I met John this past week, I felt an immediate connection to him and his inspiring story, a story that I knew that I wanted to share this inspiring story with you. John and I forged an immediate friendship and we were both so eager to record this interview for Podcast Answer Man that we made a point to record it before we even left Nashville to come home.

On my drive home from Nashville, I listened to the audio version of his book titled “My Life as a Bush and my heart for imitating Jesus.” It is heavily faith based, as you may assume from the title. I thoroughly enjoyed the entire book and how he shares how his life of impersonating a former president is matches his desire to imitate Jesus in his day to day life.

The wildest thing that struck me is that in all the hours I spent with John over the past few days, I knew that it was John Morgan that I was speaking to. However, there was something in my heart, my mind, or somewhere that made me feel as if I were in the presence of the former President of The United States of America. After reading (listening) to his book, it does cause me to wonder if there are folks who have spent a good deal of time me and had a strange feeling that they had been in the presence of God. As I said, I really enjoyed the book and the thoughts it has evoked.

Platform Conference – My First Singing Gig!
Thanks to the Platform Conference, I can honestly say that I made my singing debut in Music City, USA, Nashville Tennessee. Not only that, but my first song was actually recorded at the historic Sound Kitchen Music Studio, the same studio that has recorded such stars as Amy Grant, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Bruce Springsteen, RUSH, Carrie Underwood, Don Henley, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Vince Gill, and too many more for me to continue to list. You’ll have to listen to this episode to learn the full details of how this came about. (Note: Be sure to listen to the very end of this episode, after my outro, to hear my beginning and end of my singing career)

I am so incredibly thankful to my friend, Michael Hyatt, for giving me the amazing opportunity to take my public speaking to “The Next Level” at his very professional Platform Conference. The Platform Conference was the single best conference that I have ever attended. While my 45 minute time limit didn’t give me the opportunity to share as much of my story as you can find in the current video on my About Page, I still believe that this was the best public speaking performance that I have given to date. It is friends like Michael who inspire me to face my fears and charge forward into becoming all that God has created me to be.

Nashville Meetup
As I write these show notes (Yes, I’m writing them this week), I am bummed that I neglected to mention the success of the gspn.tv and SPI community meetup that Pat Flynn and I hosted. We had just over 40 people show up throughout the evening. I just got so caught up in sharing my “singing story” and the excitement over my newfound friendship with John Morgan, that I simply forgot to mention the other major highlight of my trip to Nashville. I have said it before, and I will say it again, but one of my favorite things about traveling is hosting these community meetups. This was an amazing time where I got to see so many old friends and to meet many new friends. Check out this awesome group photo that captured most of those who attended. (Note: You can click to see a larger version of the image below)

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The Podcast Mastermind
One of the reasons that I love working with podcasters so much is due to the fact that they are influencing someone every single time they produce a podcast episode. The world needs great leaders! I believe that podcasters who take their leadership position seriously can make a positive difference in the lives of others. The world needs you and your message! They need you to be a leader!

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I Appreciate Your iTunes Reviews!
If you have ever read my blog post about how iTunes podcast ratings work, then you know just how valuable leaving a 5 star rating and/or a written review can be to a content producer.

I am so incredibly thankful to those who have recently gone into my listing in iTunes to provide a five star rating and a written review of Podcast Answer Man.

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jeffgoins

Really enjoyed meeting you, Cliff, and hearing your story. I LOVE the impact you’ve had thru podcasting. Guess it’s about time I got onboard with this iTunes thingamajig.

Thoughts into Action

What a brilliant podcast, thanks Cliff and John.
What I got out of this week’s podcast on the Podcast Answerman.

1. Resistance, disguised as important tasks at the time, but only takes you away from your true calling. The dishes can wait another hour, you have time right now to achieve your goal, don’t let the little things stop you. “Stop looking for excuses”.
2. A fantastic interview with John C Morgan, John reminds us that sometimes we miss the obvious or we dismiss fantastic opportunities that are presented to us, because we convince ourselves that were not capable or not deserving.
3. The worst place we can be is sitting happily in our comfort zone, it’s not until we do something that scares us, and then we can discover what we are truly capable of.

Thanks again Cliff for all that you do.
All the best
Mike Stone of the Thoughts into Action Podcast

DaleCallahan1

Cliff,

Great to meet you and John @bushguy. Thanks so much. You talk and your story was amazing. I am with you on this being the best conference – and the last I attended was amazing with speakers like Bill Clinton and John Daymond. But Platform was TONS better. Your story that I cannot forget is about the girl whose life you changed from your show LOST. WOW.

Thanks for taking the time to share – Dale

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/ Cliff Ravenscraft

@jeffgoins Jeff, I enjoyed meeting you as well. I had heard so much about you from Michael Hyatt, Andy Traub, Dan Miller, and others. It was just wonderful to get to meet you face to face and to be fully introduced to you though your talk. I love your message. Look forward to connecting with you more in the future.

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/ Cliff Ravenscraft

@Thoughts into Action Mike. Wow! Thank you so much for sharing the insights that you pulled out of this episode. It thrills me to know that folks out there enjoy this type of content as much, if not more, that the “what microphone should I get” or the “how can I get more people to subscribe to my show” stuff. You hit all the major highlights. Thank you for sharing!

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/ Cliff Ravenscraft

@DaleCallahan1 Dale, thank you so much! There were a few other stories that I had hoped to share in my talk. However, I typically have 15 more minutes to share this message and I don’t typically sing (Everyone – sighs in relief).

Check out the photo here: http://share.gspn.tv/MvM9 It is overflowing with post cards, hand written notes, and emails that bring tears to my eyes when I read them. One letter on that board is from someone who said that she decided to cancel her attempt at suicide because of something that my wife and I shared in our Family From The Heart podcast. (This was not the same story that I shared in my talk).

I’m incredibly blessed to be doing work that brings great fulfillment to my life and that is making a positive difference in the lives of others.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback. To think that I was a part of a conference that you felt was “TONS better” than one with Bill Clinton, etc… That is just…. WOW!

I hope you have have an amazing weekend! Sincerely, Cliff

BrianHolmesLive

Cliff – Always great to see you. I really enjoyed our time together, especially the Bison Burger outing with you and John. Hope to see you soon. Great interview by the way. John is really a genuine and precious guy. – Brian

jdgaby

@MichaelHyatt I’m at @gspn’s site right now. Learning a ton about podcasting. How did you decide to start “this is your life”?

TIWWH

@MichaelHyatt @gspn Agreed! Good stuff!

MichaelHyatt

@jdgaby I was encouraged to start a podcast by @48DaysTeam.

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/ Cliff Ravenscraft

@BrianHolmesLive Brian, same here. I really enjoyed seeing you again. Great time spent with great people. I’ll send you hi res photos later today.

http://www.hlminteriordesign.com/ HLMInterior

This was a great episode. John’s story is very inspirational. I especially liked the part about doing things you are trying to convince yourself not to do. @Cliff Ravenscraft Thank you for interviewing John.

@GSPN @michaelhyatt I agree, I went around humming that song for the rest of the day.

http://www.200churches.com jeffkeady

Cliff,

Very good to get introduced to your podcast! Wow – SO much content! I’ve been listening every morning while getting ready for the day. My wife is wondering “who is that guy?”

I also just hopped on to Platform U and follow MH. Great podcast this morning on the Resistance. So true.

My associate pastor and I just started a podcast in January specifically designed and focused to encourage pastors of smaller churches – lay, part time, bi-vocational, and solo pastors. We love co-hosting this thing and are excited to see how God might eventually use it to encourage men and women out there in the trenches… just like us!

Your website/podcast is so encouraging to have right now as we are getting started. I wanted to say hi! Enjoyed your podcast and your video with GWB!

Very good to get introduced to your podcast! Wow – SO much content! I’ve been listening every morning while getting ready for the day. My wife is wondering “who is that guy?”

I also just hopped on to Platform U and follow MH. Great podcast this morning on the Resistance. So true.

My associate pastor and I just started a podcast in January specifically designed and focused to encourage pastors of smaller churches – lay, part time, bi-vocational, and solo pastors. We love co-hosting this thing and are excited to see how God might eventually use it to encourage men and women out there in the trenches… just like us!

Your website/podcast is so encouraging to have right now as we are getting started. I wanted to say hi! Enjoyed your podcast and your video with GWB!

I just loved this podcast. I was totally taken in by the idea that you were talking to George W. What an incredible interview and I loved his message. I’ve found myself struggling lately to figure out my path and this was so inspiring. Loved this interview!

http://PodcastAnswerMan.com/ Cliff Ravenscraft

Charity Kountz Thank you for letting me know how this episode inspired you! Wishing you great success as you continue on your journey!